Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an ultra orthodox rabbi finds herself at a crossroads of life choices when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father’s prodigy.
Distressed yet determined, she begs that her father allow her one year to study at a women’s religious seminary in Safed, the birthplace of the Kabala in order to prepare herself for the sacrifices she will make as a wife. Her father relents and Naomi’s life begins to take an unexpected turn.
Devout but lively, Naomi and her new friend Michelle befriend a beautiful, mysterious older woman, Anouk, (Fanny Ardant) who is ill and living nearby who may or may not be Jewish, and may have committed a crime of passion. Naomi devises a series of rituals which will somehow ‘purify’ Anouk and purge her of her sins, but as these stretch the borders of Jewish law they must be kept secret. Eventually this journeys into the forbidden leads to a growing attraction between the two girls and more crossroads are faced. The Secrets presents the complexities of a religious lifestyle in a vibrant environment of youth, rebellion and desire.
Starring Fanny Ardant, Ania Bukstein, Michal Shtamler
Official Selection, Toronto International Film Festival
Nominated, Award of the Israeli Film Academy Best Supporting Actress
Nominated, GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Film – Limited Release
Nominated, Grand Jury Prize, Czech Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
“Intriguing & passionate.” – The New York Times
“The Secrets is proof again that Lesbian drama can be done beautifully and poignantly.” – AfterEllen
2007 / Foreign Drama (Hebrew w/English sub-titles) / 127 minutes / A film by Avi Nesher (The Matchmaker)
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Watch the trailer